U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials said Friday its officers' actions in detaining a Venezuela man in Whitefish last week were "vetted and legally justified." 

Kalispell resident Beker Enrique Rengifo del Castillo, 33, was reportedly detained by Border Patrol agents in Whitefish during a routine traffic stop on April 24. He was then transferred to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Tacoma, Washington, from which he was released late in the evening of April 30. 

Rengifo del Castillo secured a sponsor prior to arriving in U.S. about two years ago as part of the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela parole program initiated under former President Joe Biden, and he later applied for asylum, according to Rebecca Miller, chair of the nonprofit Valley Neighbors.  

Having a pending asylum application "does not preclude ICE or [Border Patrol] from placing you into removal proceedings,” a press release from the Border Patrol’s Spokane Sector stated." Additionally, the parole program that allows individuals to temporarily enter the U.S. does not confer legal immigration status. The parole program is a discretionary measure intended to address specific humanitarian needs, not a guarantee of permanent residency." 

Further, the subsequent release of an individual, "does not imply that the initial apprehension by Border Patrol was unlawful. Border Patrol agents operate under clear legal authority, and our enforcement actions are conducted in compliance with federal law and established procedures," the statement concluded. 

The statement did not provide any information about why Rengifo del Castillo was detained or his current status. 

Rengifo del Castillo’s attorney Andrea Sweeney also said she has yet to learn why he was taken into custody and later released. She told the Montana Free Press on Thursday, “we are just grateful that he is out now.”  

Rengifo del Castillo’s apprehension drew small daily demonstrations in front of the Whitefish Border Patrol facility on U.S. 93 West. Some community members also questioned the Whitefish Police Department's role in the detainment.  

Whitefish Police Chief Bridger Kelch responded to those concerns, and in a statement Thursday said his department is committed to equal enforcement of the law. 

“We are proud of our programs that provide implicit bias training to all city employees, which aims to raise awareness of unconscious stereotypes and how they can influence decision-making,” Kelch said. 

He said the department has a working relationship with Whitefish Border Patrol and they regularly assist one another.

“All individuals, regardless of their immigration status, should feel secure that contacting or being addressed by our officers will not automatically lead to an immigration inquiry and/or deportation,” Kelch said.

READ MORE:

Whitefish sued for 'racial profiling' during traffic stop

As detainments ramp up, activists arm immigrants with knowledge

Whitefish Police officer cited immigration violations as reason for contacting federal authorities during traffic stop

Law enforcement agencies respond to questions spawned by recent detention of Venezuelan immigrant

Venezuela man detained by Whitefish Border Patrol is released after week of protests